If you think the title on the previous page is a bold one, it’s because you don’t know Claressa Shields. In the 16 years she’s boxed, she’s earned championship belts in all four major sanctioning bodies — the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization — as well as two gold medals in the Olympics. She’s been called the best active female boxer by several media outlets, including ESPN. Now she’s turning her attention to the cage. She’s fought in two MMA matches so far — her ongoing boxing career tends to get in the way — and has a record of 1-1. That one loss, however, won’t deter Shields. If anything, it will motivate her.
You have a very impressive boxing background. Could you briefly give us the highlights?
I am a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a multiple-time champion in the amateurs, a professional 13-time world champion, a three-division world champion and a three-time undisputed champion. I’m an undefeated fighter.
What motivated you to get into boxing?
My dad was in prison for a while, and when he got out, I wanted him to live some of his life through me, so I decided to box. He signed me up, and I fell in love with the sport. It was something that I enjoyed doing. I started at Berston Field House, a recreational center in Flint, Michigan.
When you started, was there a desire to compete or to learn self-defense?
I really started just to make my dad happy. I didn’t know that I would be a good boxer or that I was a great boxer. I just knew that I could do great things if I put my mind to it.
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THE CLINCHING LESSONS TAUGHT IN THE ANCIENT GREEK MARTIAL ART OF PANKRATION ARE STILL RELEVANT - AND EFFECTIVE!
A DEEP DIVE WITH BENNY URQUIDEZ
Few fighters have a reputation as formidable and a record as impressive as Benny “The Jet” Urquidez. As you will see, his path from the traditional martial arts to full contact and then to kickboxing had more than its share of bumps.
PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKES: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, PART 1
In my six previous columns, pre-emptive striking featured prominently.
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To be successful in mixed martial arts nowadays, you need an all-around game.
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
Be skeptical when anyone suggests changes in your karate training.
ENDLESS DRILLING
A common question from martial arts rookies and intermediate practitioners — and, if we’re honest, even some long-timers — is “What’s next?” “What’s the next supersecret neato technique I have to master?”
BEST PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKES AND PALMS VS. FISTS, PART 3
Palm-strike detractors like to point out that fingers are vulnerable to fracture because they stick out when making contact. This definitely can happen, but no one I know personally who has used palms — including Bas Rutten — has ever fractured a finger in barehanded combat.
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Statistics state that 1 in 5 people will suffer a stroke.
WHY THE AMERICAN TAEKWONDO ASSOCIATION'S TOURNAMENTS ARE THE PLACE TO BE!
The martial arts are bifurcated. A significant percentage of our community loves competition, while probably a similar portion has no interest. If you’re a tournament lover, read on to learn about a unique circuit you might want to join. If you’re a tournament hater, you’ll want to read on, too — you just might change your mind afterward.
GROW YOUR SCHOOL WITH WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOPS
“It doesn’t matter why they come in. All that matters is that they do. If people were coming in to get free pencils, that would be just fine.”
